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Is It Worth Having Renters Insurance if I Live In a Safe Neighborhood?

Many people think that renters insurance is unnecessary for people who live in safe neighborhoods. But whether or not your area is considered "safe," it’s essential to consider the truth of the matter: You can never predict when disaster might strike. Here are four reasons you should still have renters insurance, even if you live in a safe area.

1. Your Belongings Might Not Be as Safe as You Think

Theft is not the only thing that could happen to your belongings. Natural disasters, such as fires and water, can also cause serious damage to your property. Renters insurance can help you replace or repair your belongings if damaged or destroyed in a disaster.

2. You Might Not Have Enough Money to Repair or Replace Your Belongings

If something does happen to your belongings, you might not have enough money to repair or replace them. Renters insurance can help you pay for the repairs or replacements, so you don’t have to worry about paying out of pocket.

3. Your Landlord’s Insurance Will Not Cover Your Belongings

Even if your landlord has insurance, it will not cover your belongings. Renters insurance is the only way to ensure that you are protected if something happens to your property.

4.  You Get Liability Coverage

Renters insurance also provides liability coverage, protecting you if someone gets injured while in your home. This coverage can help you pay for the costs of medical care and any legal fees that might arise. This is important to have, especially if you have pets.

Get Renters Insurance in Tomball, TX

Although you may feel safe living in a particular area, it’s important to remember that disasters can happen anywhere. Make sure you are protected by having renters insurance. Great Southern Agency can help you find the right policy for your needs. Give us a call today.

Guide to Safely Driving a Motorcycle

While it is impossible to deny the fun factor that motorcycles possess, they are far more dangerous than driving a car. With a motorcyclist 30 times more likely to be in a fatal accident compared to a motorist per the Insurance Information Institute, it is imperative that motorcyclists practice safe driving techniques while on the road.

Purchase the Right Gear

Looking your best may be a priority for a normal life, but when you are on a motorcycle, you need to prioritize function and safety over the fashion of your outfit. Wearing shorts and a t-shirt – no matter how hot it is outside – or simply jeans will not protect your extremities during an accident. Motorcyclists should be wearing a DOT-approved helmet, specially designed motorcycle jacket and pants that allow for ventilation, and gloves for hand protection. 

Steer Clear of Distractions

A motorcyclist should avoid distractions like their phone, but they also need to be aware of other motorists. Whether a driver is sipping their Starbucks, fixing their hair for work, or on a cell phone, distracted driving is on the rise, posing a significant threat to motorcyclists. If you notice a vehicle veering from its lane or driving erratically, pass when safe or slow down to avoid potential issues. 

Watch for Debris

Sand, gravel, water, and other debris can be a motorcyclist’s worst nightmare. Consequently, it would be best if you always were looking ahead and remain vigilant for unstable road conditions. 

Ultimately, one of the best ways to protect yourself and others while on a ride is to have adequate motorcycle insurance. The knowledgeable team at Great Southern Agency in Tomball, TX is looking forward to helping you with your motorcycle insurance needs.

Why Texas Residents Need Boat Insurance While They’re Out On The Water

Great Southern Agency provides coverage to the Tomball, TX community. We believe that hospitality and making our clients feel welcome makes a huge difference. We offer flexible policies designed to meet the needs of our clients in every situation. For over 30 years, we have helped our clients find the coverage they need to protect what matters most. We are confident that we can help you protect your assets.

Why Texas Residents Need Boat Insurance

Boating is a popular hobby throughout Tomball, TX. On warm summer days, many residents enjoy going out on the water and having fun with friends and family. However, it’s important that you have some protection while you’re out on the water. Accidents can occur at any time. That’s why boat insurance is an asset. Boat insurance covers multiple types of boats, so you should be able to find a policy that aligns with your needs. The terms of your policy may differ depending on whether you have a traditional watercraft, sailboat, or powerboat.  

Boat insurance covers you if the boat sustains damage or somebody vandalizes it. Most of your personal items on the boat are covered if there are damaged. However, you may need to amend your policy if you have special accessories attached to your boat such as an anchor. Liability coverage protects your boat from accidentally causing damage to someone else’s property. You are also covered if one of the guests on your boat is injured. Pay attention to the policy’s navigational limits. The navigational limits outline the places that you are allowed to sail and still remain covered.

Great Southern Agency Will Help You Cover Your Assets

Visit our website to learn more information about boat insurance.

Umbrella insurance FAQs

Umbrella insurance is one type of insurance that confuses most people. They don’t know what it is and if it is worth having. At Great Southern Agency in Tomball, TX, we are independent insurance agents and we work for our clients, not for an insurance company. You can count on us explaining things to you so you have the information you need to make an educated decision. 

What is umbrella insurance?

Umbrella insurance is excess liability insurance. It supplements other insurance policies that you have with liability coverage. Some of the policies that have liability are home, condo, renters, auto, boat, and motorcycle. In the event that you have to use your liability coverage, your primary policy will cover to its limit and then your umbrella policy will kick in. 

Who needs umbrella insurance?

Almost everyone can benefit from umbrella insurance. Do you own a home? Do you have additional assets? Have you put aside some savings? Do you have a retirement account? Protecting all of these things is vital. What are the liability limits on your insurance policies? Will they leave you holding the bag in the event you need to use your liability protection?  Once you have the answer to these questions, you should be able to determine if umbrella insurance is a good option for you. 

Can I buy umbrella insurance without having other insurance?

No,  you can’t. Umbrella insurance is not a stand-alone policy. It is additional liability coverage in addition to the liability coverage that you have on another policy. 

Do only the rich benefit from umbrella insurance? 

No, it doesn’t matter how many assets you have, if you want to protect them, umbrella insurance is an affordable option. 

Call Great Southern Agency in Tomball, TX when you are ready to talk about how umbrella insurance might be right for you.

What You Need To Know About Recreation Insurance

Keeping your recreational vehicles and toys properly insured is the best way to keep the good times rolling. At Great Southern Agency serving Tomball, TX and surrounding areas we want to help our clients have fun the safest way possible. Keep reading to learn about the different types of recreation insurance. 

RV Insurance 

RV insurance can be used to cover your recreational vehicles such as campers and RVs. These types of vehicles will need the proper insurance coverage in order to be on the road. It is also important that you have these items covered with insurance so that your personal belongings within the RV will also be protected. 

Boat Insurance 

If you own a boat or watercraft, proper insurance is the only way to protect your investment in your watercraft. It is also the best way to protect yourself from liability should someone get injured on your boat or because of your boat. 

ATVs

ATVs or all-terrain vehicles pose a particular risk to owners and riders. Because these vehicles are often taken into off road situations, the chance of wrecks or injuries is high. Having these vehicles properly insured will mean that should an accident happen you will not be held liable for injuries or damage. 

Motorcycle Insurance 

Motorcycles can be covered under recreational vehicle policies if they are not used as a primary mode of transportation. You can talk with an insurance representative to find out if your bike qualifies for this type of policy. 

If you would like to learn more about our services, or if you are interested in recreational insurance policies, please contact us at Great Southern Agency, serving Tomball, TX and surrounding areas. 

4 Benefits of renters insurance

Have you ever assessed the value of the assets you have and what can transpire if unexpected peril strikes and they get damaged or stolen? Can you afford to replace them? If not, purchasing solidified renters insurance at Great Southern Agency is paramount. If you rent a home in Tomball, TX your space and belongings will require a prolific insurance policy to boost your safety. Unfortunately, many Tomball, TX residents ignore the investment of renters insurance with the belief that their landlord’s homeowners policy covers their personal property. Renters insurance provides a tenant with peace of mind that it will safeguard their property in the event of a covered peril. Please speak with our reputable agents at Great Southern Agency, and they will help you customize a renters’ insurance meeting your needs and budget. Keep reading to establish why renters insurance is of absolute necessity.

Investing in renters insurance in Tomball, TX is a prudent idea for any tenant because it’s a worthwhile asset that harbors the following benefits:

Protect personal property

It’s paramount for any tenant to understand that your landlord is not financially liable if a calamity strikes and ravages your belongings. Therefore, buying personal property coverage is crucial because it safeguards your possessions such as electronics, clothing, and furniture from imminent perils like theft and hailstorm. It pays for the cost of repair or replacement.

Liability protection

What transpires if a visitor residing on your premises trips and falls, breaking his arm or leg? Paying medical expenses out-of-pocket may be expensive. Worry not because purchasing liability coverage from Great Southern Agency safeguards you against imminent lawsuits, physical injuries, or property damage propagated by you or your family members to third parties.

Provision of additional living expenses: It’s imperative to understand that unforeseen events can relegate you to homelessness as a Tomball, TX resident after your rented apartment gets destroyed. Luckily, loss of use coverage comes to your rescue and caters to additional expenses and hotel bills if your condominium becomes uninhabitable and you reside elsewhere.

Offers medical payments coverage: It reimburses costs for reasonable medical bills if a visitor residing on your premises gets incapacitated, regardless of who is legally deemed responsible.

Do you want to gain peace of mind in Tomball, TX, which comes with guaranteed protection of yourself and your rented apartment? Contact us today at Great Southern Agency for a competitive renters’ insurance quote.

Risks Of Not Having Motorcycle Insurance

If you decided to get yourself a motorbike, you should also consider getting motorcycle insurance that will protect your precious vehicle, you as a motorist, and other people on the road. However, many motorcycle owners decide to save some money and not purchase motorcycle insurance. If you are one of them, you should realize that you will face a certain number of risks while riding a motorcycle without proper motorcycle insurance. 

Risks of Not Carrying Motorcycle Insurance

  • You can risk facing legal consequences by riding without motorcycle insurance. In the state of Texas, it is illegal to ride a motorcycle without proper insurance. Therefore, a variety of different penalties may result, including tickets, fines, court appearances, license suspension, points on your driver’s license, and others. 
  • The damage to your motorbike is not covered. If you are involved in a road accident and your bike is damaged, you will have to pay for repairs or replacement out of pocket. 
  • You will be responsible for the injuries and medical bills of other people. If you cause a road accident and other people get injured, you will be responsible. As a result, you will have to cover their medical expenses and bills.

Great Southern Agency serving clients in Tomball, TX – An Insurance Agency You Can Trust

If you are a lucky owner of a motorcycle in the state of Texas and you are in Tomball, TX or any other surrounding town, you should not forget about getting a proper motorcycle insurance policy before hitting the road. If you are not sure what policy you need and how to choose motorcycle insurance, contact Great Southern Agency. We have years of experience, and we know how frustrating the process of choosing insurance may be. We will do our best to find you an insurance policy addressing your needs and requirements. Do not hesitate to give us a call at any time – we are always here for you. 

Coverage Options for Boat Insurance

At Great Southern Agency, we can provide many high-quality insurance options for many situations. For example, we can give our clients excellent boating insurance policies that will help to keep their watercraft safe. What kind of policy options are available for you? Understanding your choices here will make it easier to find one that makes sense for your needs. 

Your Boating Insurance Policy Options 

High-quality boating insurance can be adjusted in various ways to protect to keep your watercraft from severe damage for years to come. Just a few of the most common types of coverage include options as diverse as:

  • Medical payment coverage to pay for medical costs or even funeral expenses 
  • Liability protection to keep you safe from crash-related lawsuits 
  • Property protection that repairs damage done to your boat 
  • Repair protection to keep your vehicle safe from damage 
  • Emergency repair coverage if your watercraft breaks down 
  • Uninsured/underinsured protection from other boasters on the water 
  • Agreed value coverage to help replace your boat
  • Personal effects policies to pay for items on the watercraft
  • Trailer protection to help keep your boating trailer safe from damage

Make sure that you talk to your insurance company about each of these options and select those that make the most sense for you. Most basic policies should cover these issues, though you may need to subtly adjust your choices to give yourself the best overall level of coverage here.

Give Yourself Great Insurance Help 

If you’re looking for an excellent boat insurance policy for your watercraft and aren’t sure where to turn, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Great Southern Agency, serving Tomball, TX. We will do what we can to help you better understand your policy options and to ensure that you never leave Tomball, TX, without a great policy that keeps your water vehicle protected from various types of issues. 

Can Umbrella Insurance Really Protect Me?

Insurance protects individuals against many things that can happen, such as fire, accidents, lawsuits, and more. However, sometimes insurance policies are not enough to cover all the costs associated with a claim. More and more people in Tomball TX choose to purchase umbrella insurance coverage, which protects them against the costs involved with a claim that basic insurance policies do not cover. Umbrella insurance can protect you, and the agents at Great Southern Agency can explain how. 

What Is Umbrella Insurance Coverage? 

To fully understand if umbrella insurance can protect you, you must first know what an umbrella, insurance policy is and what it covers. Umbrella insurance is an add-on policy to your existing liability insurance coverage. This policy comes into play when you reach the limits of your liability coverage on home or auto insurance. For example, when a claim is filed, your primary insurance policy only covers so much, the umbrella policy will cover and pay for the remaining balance. 

How Does Umbrella Insurance Protect Me? 

Umbrella insurance can protect you financially and protect all of your assets. For example, when a lawsuit or claim is filed against you, your umbrella insurance policy covers what your primary insurance plan does not. If you did not have umbrella insurance, you would be financially responsible for the amount of money you are liable for that your insurance company does not pay. 

What Does Umbrella Insurance Cover? 

Umbrella insurance offers additional coverage protecting against claims where you are found liable. Coverage includes bodily injury to others and damage to another person’s property.

Umbrella insurance can help protect Tomball, TX residents against financial responsibility associated with claims where they are held liable. The experts at Great Southern Agency can provide additional information as to how umbrella insurance coverage can protect you and your assets. 

3 Reasons Why You Need Flood Insurance

Water damage is nothing to mess with. Flooding is devastating and often hits with very little to no warning. Even those who are not living in a flood plain need flood insurance.

Why do I need flood insurance, and what does it cover?

If you live near the water, it’s an easy decision to look for good flood insurance. But, what if you are located several miles away from the threat of a hurricane or rising river, like the people of Tomball, TX?

What if I don’t even live in a flood plain. Won’t my home insurance cover flood damage?

Even if you have flood insurance, be sure to understand the terms. Not all water damage is covered. The experts at Great Southern Agency know that the truth is everyone needs flood insurance.

Here are 3 reasons why you need flood insurance.

  1. Protects Property – Your home is probably the most costly investment you have. It only makes sense to make sure it is protected from any damage including flood. Flood insurance will usually cover damage to roofs, walls, floors, and permanent fixtures.
  2. Protects Your Family – Your home should be a place that family members feel safe. If flooding wipes out the house, they will no longer have a home.
  3. Peace of Mind – Some things are more than financial worries. A flood can happen with no warning. Water damage can be devastating destroying everything inside the house. If you are covered with flood insurance, you will never have to worry.

Even if you currently have flood insurance, it may be time to go over your policy to make sure it will cover what you think it covers. Contact Great Southern Agency serving Tomball, TX to get the facts about flood insurance.